The current Ipswich Central Library at South Street will be closed for two weeks from Monday, 9 November as more than 70,000 books, magazines, DVDs and other items are relocated to the new library in the Nicholas Street Precinct.
It comes as the Ipswich Libraries team prepares to open the new Ipswich Central Library at the Nicholas Street Precinct to the community in December this year.
Deputy Mayor and Division 3 Councillor Marnie Doyle said the temporary closure of the current Ipswich Central Library was an important step towards creating a better library experience for the Ipswich community.
“Our libraries are much-loved meeting places for many in our community, and we are committed to ensuring that they are exciting and enjoyable places for our residents to spend their time now and into the future,” Cr Doyle said.
“Through the new Ipswich Central Library we’re improving the overall library experience for our Ipswich Libraries customers both young and old, as, in an Australian first, we create separate, purpose-built public libraries for adults and children, as well as continuing to bring the latest cutting edge technologies to Ipswich.
“This closure will give our libraries team the opportunity to move the majority of our Ipswich Central collection to the new library at the Nicholas Street Precinct.”
Division 3 Councillor Andrew Fechner said arrangements were in place to help the community prepare for the upcoming changes.
“We understand the closure will create some disruption for the community, however we are committed to helping the community through this transition period with alternative options for accessing library services,” Cr Fechner
“The number of items able to be borrowed from the current Ipswich Central Library at South Street has also been increased to 50 per person to help the community prepare for the closure.
“We thank the community for their patience as we build better libraries.”
During the closure, access to public computers will be available at the Barry Jones Auditorium at South Street between Monday and Friday.
The community may also reserve and pick up items from the Ipswich Libraries collection at one of the four other libraries across the city: Redbank Plaza, Redbank Plains, Rosewood and Springfield Central.
The space at South Street will reopen in limited capacity on Monday, 23 November.
During the two-week closure, the ground floor will be transformed into an interim children’s library which will operate until the new children’s library opens in the Nicholas Street Precinct in mid-2021.
The interim children’s library will offer an extensive children’s collection, a children’s makerspace, and a play area.
Children’s programming including the First Five Forever program and baby storytelling time will also continue at the South Street space.
Limited general items and services including printing, public computers, borrowing and returns and holiday programs will also be available at the South Street space until the new Ipswich Central Library at the Nicholas Street Precinct opens later this year.
Find out more at www.ipswichlibraries.com.au
